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Apparatus for causing a solar energy collector to constantly follow the sun by using solar radiant energy to differentially heat fluid-containing reservoirs to cause differential vaporization and shifting of fluid to rotate the apparatus. Automatic morning orientation is included by providing the easterly reservoir with a faster rate of cooling than the westerly one thereby causing shift of fluid from westerly to easterly after sunset resulting in inclination toward the east by sunrise.

InventorStephen Baer
Original AssigneeDow Corning Corporation
Current U.S. Classification60/531; 60/641.15; 60/675; 126/579; 126/908; 136/246
International Classification: F03G 702; F03G 706

View patent at USPTO
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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US2187124Dec 30, 1937Jan 16, 1940AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVICE
US2999943Dec 8, 1959Sep 12, 1961SELF-ORIENTING HELIOTROPIC DEVICE
US4079249Feb 8, 1977Mar 14, 1978Solar energy operated motor apparatus

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US4262654Aug 24, 1979Apr 21, 1981Solar-energy-powered sun tracker
US4300533Aug 6, 1979Nov 17, 1981Design of hydraulic circuits for the automatic operation of heliostats
US4305380Mar 3, 1980Dec 15, 1981Solar energy system and solar powered tracking apparatus therefor
US4332240Dec 29, 1980Jun 1, 1982Solar-energy-powered sun tracker
US4351319Aug 17, 1979Sep 28, 1982Radiant energy tracker
US4476854Nov 14, 1983Oct 16, 1984Zomeworks CorporationGas spring solar tracker
US4519381Feb 7, 1984May 28, 1985Solar heating apparatus and method
US4765309Apr 21, 1987Aug 23, 1988Solar tracking device
US6498290May 29, 2001Dec 24, 2002The Sun Trust, L.L.C.Conversion of solar energy
US6552257Oct 16, 2001Apr 22, 2003American Signal CompanyNonrotating pivotable solar panel
US6696637Sep 21, 2002Feb 24, 2004The Sun Trust, L.L.C.Conversion of solar energy
US6960717Jul 2, 2002Nov 1, 2005American Signal CompanyAdjustable solar panel
US7932461May 20, 2008Apr 26, 2011Skyline Solar, Inc.Solar collector framework
US8058546Sep 8, 2008Nov 15, 2011Concentrating solar collector
US8113193Jan 20, 2009Feb 14, 2012Kenergy Scientific, Inc.Reciprocating solar engine with attached solar windows
US8119962Oct 1, 2009Feb 21, 2012Control signal generation of a solar panel orientation system with interference reduction using an infrared filter
US8171928Jan 5, 2009May 8, 2012Reciprocating solar engine
US8231222Dec 18, 2008Jul 31, 2012New Mexico Technical Research FoundationHeliostat with actively controlled liquid ballast system

Claims

1. In a solar tracking device comprising a pair of closed containers interconnected in fluid communication and mounted on opposite sides of a pivot axis and containing liquid having a low boiling point, said containers having sun shielding means positioned relative thereto to provide unequal solar radiation on the containers whenever the device is not aimed at the sun thereby causing greater vaporization of said liquid in one container which in turn causes transfer of liquid from that container to the other and rotation of the containers about the pivot until equal radiation is received by both containers, and means for maintaining center of gravity below the pivot axis to control motion around said pivot axis, the improvement which comprises:

differential cooling means for providing greater rate of heat dissipation from one container than that of the other, whereby the container with high heat dissipation can be placed in the easterly position and therefore will cool faster after sunset thereby causing transfer of liquid from the westerly container and automatic reorientation of the containers in preparation for sunrise.

2. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein a portion of the container designed to be placed in the westerly position is provided with a coating which has a lower thermal emissivity than the surface of the container designed to be placed in the easterly position.

3. The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein the coating having lower thermal emissivity contains aluminum.

4. The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein the emissivity governing means includes thermal insulation over portions of the container designed to be placed in the westerly position.